Do I need a TV Licence? How to save money on your TV Licence

Save money by cashing in your TV Licence today

With so many bills to pay and so little cash to go round, the £145.50 annual requirement for a TV Licence is by some people purposely overlooked. But this small saving can later cost you dearly: watching live TV without a valid licence is a criminal offence, which can lead to prosecution, a court appearance and a fine of up to £1,000 plus legal costs. Also see: 11 best smart TVs 2014

There's a good chance that those who don't own a licence but do watch live TV will be caught out, too. If your home doesn't have a TV Licence, you are already on the TV Licensing authority's database; don't make the mistake of thinking the TV Licensing authority will simply take your word for it if you say you don't own a TV. Enforcement officers carry handheld signal-detection devices and have access to a fleet of vans that can quickly identify TV-receiving equipment at targeted addresses. Also see: Best TV guide apps for Android

There are ways you can save money on your TV Licence, of course. If you're prepared to watch black-and-white TV the licence will cost you a more manageable £49 per year, while over-75s can apply for a free licence. If you're registered blind or severely sight-impaired you qualify for a discount; those who live in your home can benefit by transferring the licence into your name. If you're a student, you can also get a refund for the summer months that you spend away from uni. But if you really want to avoid paying the TV Licence fee, just don't watch live TV.

Do you still need a TV Licence?

That final suggestion would have been laughable (read petrifying) only a few years ago. But, today, with fast broadband available to more of us than ever, a range of online catch-up TV solutions, YouTube and other web video sites, LoveFilm/Amazon Prime Instant Video, Netflix, DVDs and Blu-ray, it's quite possible to get your telly fix without parting with the annual premium. Potentially, you could even start saving right now, and cash in what's left of your TV Licence today.

In simple terms, a TV Licence is required to watch only live TV broadcasts, whether that's on a TV, a PC, a laptop, a smartphone or a tablet. If you are using some sort of time-shifting technology to pause, rewind, fast-forward and record programmes, this feed is still considered to be live and you will need a TV Licence. However, watch on-demand that content an hour or so later and it doesn't fall under this licensing requirement. Likewise, movies and online video do not demand ownership of a TV Licence.

The number of households that subscribe to broadband but do not hold a TV Licence is estimated to be very small. If this figure dramatically increases changes then the BBC has in the past said it may seek to include under the TV Licensing authority's remit catch-up TV; for now, though, on-demand content remains a loophole.

Do I need a TV Licence to own a TV?

No, you do not need a TV Licence to own a TV. When you buy any equipment that is capable of receiving a TV signal you will be asked for your home address. This information is passed on to the TV Licensing authority and, if it doesn't have you on its database, it will send you a reminder to buy a TV Licence. If you are not using the equipment to watch live TV (for instance, it's hooked up only to a games console or used for playing training videos) you will need to declare this to the TV Licensing authority; it's possible that an enforcement officer will be sent to verify this is the case. However, according to the authority, one in five people are found to need a TV Licence; if this is you, you could face prosecution, a court appearance, and a fine of up to £1,000 (plus legal costs).

Do I need a TV Licence to watch TV on my smartphone, tablet or laptop?

You don't need a TV Licence to watch on-demand content on your smartphone, tablet or laptop. However, if the content is live, you will need a TV Licence to watch TV on a mobile device.

Your home's TV Licence also covers any device that is powered solely by its own batteries, wherever you are. This means, provided that you don't plug your device into the mains, you can watch live TV on a mobile phone, tablet or laptop inside a property that isn't covered by a TV Licence, such as when you're in a shop, bar or restaurant or at work. (You might get sacked, of course, so be careful.)

"As long as the address where you live is licensed, you’re also covered to watch TV outside your home using any device powered solely by its own internal batteries. This includes your mobile phone, laptop and tablet," according to the TV Licensing authority.

Do I need a TV Licence to watch catch-up TV?

No, you do not need a TV Licence to watch BBC iPlayer, ITV Player, 4oD or any other on-demand TV service. However, any live features within these services, such as iPlayer's 'Watch Live' simulcast option, demand a licence.

According to the BBC, "A 'live' TV programme is a programme that is watched or recorded at the same time (or virtually the same time) as it is being broadcast or otherwise distributed to members of the public. As a general rule, if a person is watching a programme on a computer or other device at the same time as it is being shown on TV then the programme is 'live'. This is sometimes known as simulcasting.

"If you are using the live rewind function to either restart the current live programme or to rewind any live stream for up to 2 hours, a TV Licence is required as you are still accessing the live simulcasts."

Do I need a TV Licence to watch YouTube?

No, you do not need a TV Licence to watch YouTube videos: you are not watching live TV content as it is broadcast. TV programmes that are uploaded to the video site following their broadcast follow the same rules as catch-up TV.

Do I need a TV Licence to watch films?

A TV Licence is required to watch films only as they are broadcast on live TV. Films enjoyed following their broadcast via on-demand services, and those provided via DVD or Blu-ray, are not subject to the licensing requirement.

Do I need a TV LIcence to watch Netflix and LoveFilm/Amazon Prime Instant Video?

No, you do not need a TV Licence to watch Netflix or LoveFilm. The content provided by these services is offered on-demand; that is, it is not streamed as it is broadcast. If either service starts to stream live TV then a TV Licence will be required.

Do I need a TV Licence to watch TVCatchup?

Yes, you do need a TV Licence to watch TVCatchup. Some confusion may be caused by the naming of this service: rather than catch-up TV, it offers live broadcasts of free-to-air television programmes through a web browser or mobile app on your PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone. Since you are watching this content at the same time as it is broadcast on the TV, a TV Licence is required.

Do I need a TV Licence to watch Sky Go?

Yes, Sky Go demands a TV Licence. Regardless of whether you watch content from the BBC and other Freeview channels or stick to Sky's own programming, your home must be covered by a TV Licence if you subscribe to Sky. In this case, you will also be covered to watch live content from Sky using Sky Go on your smartphone, tablet or computer - and do so from outside the home, provided the device is powered solely by its own batteries. Although the catch-up content within Sky Go is technically exempt from the licensing requirement, a Sky subscription itself is not.

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Comments

Nigel said: I have a computer with broadband but never watch live TV or any catch up TV only uptube if they came to my home and saw a computer how can you prove you never watch it

Matt Egan said: I like it

Wes H. York III said: Yeah it makes us feel a lot better about our govt when we see how bad you guys are getting screwedNot really Im just a bit of a rabble rouser

Matt Egan said: It does now But it used to receive a public subsidy until three or four years ago off the top of my head For total clarity I think that never came directly from the licence fee it came from direct taxation In essence it amounted to the same thing Im sure you will agree that the BBC is funded by the Licence Fee or do I still need to grow a brain

Ian Cogings said: Matt Egan Do your research before blabbing over meChannel 4 supports itself solely via advertising programme sponsorship and commercial revenue and does not receive any of the licence feehttpwwwchannel4com4viewe

Matt Egan said: Still reading a couk website though

Matt Egan said: BBC and Channel 4 content And yes it does as well as all of the BBCs radio and web output including the World Service So I have a brain And unlike you manners

Wes H. York III said: We had a problem like that a long time ago so we threw a tea party

Ian Cogings said: It is a little known fact that some Samsung Panasonic Sony tvs emit a 3rd harmonic signal of 144 MHz and can be received up to 10 metres away

Ian Cogings said: Matt Egan said but then I pay the licence with pleasure actually given the amount of NBC and Channel 4 content I consume Grow a brain your licence fee does not fund those channels so your statement is a joke

Karl said: Thats very interesting ive always been a bit confused bythe whole TV licence thing I do own a TV though it hasnt been used in acouple of years but is still of decent value so I wouldnt fancy throwing itout All about the PC with NetflixYoutube etcDo you know if these rules apply to Republic of Ireland alsoI have heard there will soon be a universal media licence introduced in lieu ofthe TV licence this will basically be a charge simply for owning a radio oranything which you can access the media on

Peter said: The BBC should be funded by a subscription model which would result in it either living or dying on its own commercial merits If they produced quality content and were managed in an honest and open way then people would still be happy to pay If they continue the way theyre going then theyll have no-one but themselves to blame when the BBC dies

Peter said: Good advice Jim By far the best advice even if you are within the law is to ignore TV Licensing entirely That way theyll have less chance of finding evidence against that probably doesnt exist

Peter said: Use of detection exceptionally rare as that is does not require anything more than a written authorisation by one of the BBCs TV Licensing bosses Use of detection is governed by the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 RIPA and the Regulation of Investigatory Powers BBC Order 2001As for search warrants thats a whole different can of worms Suffice to say the evidence TV Licensing present in order to get a warrant is often tenuous in the extremeMore on our blog httptv-licensingblogspotc

Peter said: If your home doesnt have a TV Licence you are already on the TV Licensing authoritys database dont make the mistake of thinking the TV Licensing authority will simply take your word for it if you say you dont own a TV Enforcement officers carry handheld signal-detection devices and have access to a fleet of vans that can quickly identify TV-receiving equipment at targeted addressesDid they TV Licensings PR harlots write this bitAnyone who doesnt receive TV programme services does not legally need a TV licence People in that situation can and should safely ignore all of TV Licensings farcical sabre-rattling

Guest said: just to add a lot of people use mobile broadband mobile devices andor mobile dongles which means your IP changes but lets say they even had your mac address they would still need to prove it was you the unlicensed home dweller and not a licensed visitor that viewed the content - IMPOSSIBLEWhat we have is an archaic technologically incompatible and unreasonable law for a tax which costs more to police than it even brings in

blind man said: something i dont get is radio is free to listen to listening to tv is free to listen to if you have a special radio which picks up tv channel audio if your blind you still have to pay a tv license

the law said: i worked for tv license id tell em to sign up then cancel the direct debit i get my 40 pound commission and they dont get bothered for 6 months

lord squishy boobs said: if you watch live tv on the internet you are making a connection to the server for 2 servers to talk to each other they need an identity which is why we have ip addresses so using services on bbc in theory they could store your ip address but they would need a court order to find out what your ip address was think of an ip address as a phone number yes you can block a phone number or mask an ip address but its not at all reliable

lord squishy boobs said: who cares about the bbc we would still have itv channel 4 channel 5 some other free view channels oh and dont forget sky which you choose to pay for if you want it

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